Monday, September 28, 2009

198 Yards of Lima

I am what you might call a bit of a Rowan floozy. A one-woman gold rush waiting to happen where it is concerned, I will do my own version of a run on the banks if it means more Rowan. Case in point: the Felted Tweed Aran frenzy of last month & the newly acquired Cocoon for the Heather Hoodie (ding! ding! told you I was self-involved). Feel free to make any champagne-taste-on-a-beer-budget comments you like, I am fully aware of the road to bankruptcy that Rowan can induce.Lima is brand new and holy mackerel is it awesome. It has the chainette construction of the dearly departed Rowan Cork but doesn't have that hollow feel that Cork sometimes had. It is 84% alpaca with some merino and nylon thrown in for added structure. The colors are all lovely as well. In short, Lima is sure to be your new best friend if you happen to be so lucky as to nab some.The Specs:Pattern: 198 Yards of Heaven by Christy VerityYarn: 1.75 yds of Rowan Lima in color # 886, 'Puno'. This color is the perfect fall neutral--it is somewhere between mushroom and camel, a little region I like to call my own personal land of guaranteed knitting enchantment.Needles: Size 8Time: Less than a week. Proper!Mods: The only mod I made was to do the lace edging in stockinette stitch rather than the called-for garter stitch. While I can appreciate the role of garter stitch in some patterns, I was concerned that it was going to take this shawl on a one-way trip to busy town, so I held off.This pattern was pure joy from start to finish. While I enjoy making hats/mittens/sweaters for the sheer practicality of them, nothing gets me going like a shawl. I mean when I am hitting my stride with the perfect yarn/pattern combo, I become an unstoppable knitting ninja. This pattern was everything I wanted it to be: a fast knit in a new yarn that would make a nice little gifty for another knitter. Stay tuned and that identity will be revealed in my next post...

I too am in love with this yarn and have been wondering what to make with it. Glad to see it knitted up so beautifully...in a shawl. You've been productive. I'm impressed. Must be that new restraint: three-projects-at-a-time. Nice!

I have recently become addicted to shawl patterns and the amount of shawl patterns currently stacked up in my 'queue' is getting ridiculous -- thanks for yet another contribution!! Very interesting yarn/colour -- looks fabulous!

I've popped over from Needled's pages. I like to have a nosey when someone is introduced in a blog. I am very much taken with the shawl, nice pattern and I agree heartily with your love of Rowan. The Lima is to dye for! My LYS has a jumper knitted up in it and it has the most sensual touch. I'm between projects at the moment so this is a very dangerous moment, teetering on the edge of a purchase. Thanks for the fab idea.

I forgot to say: seeing this made me want to try knitting properly after not thinking I could do it for 20 years - I can now do some lace stuff and this'll be my next project! So thanks for the inspiration, your knitting and photos are brilliant.